2008 BMW M3

Visually, there's no confusing the M3 with a standard-issue 3-series, even though both cars share doors, windows, headlights, taillights, and trunklid. The M3 adds four exhaust pipes and a tiny spoiler to the rear deck. See those vents next to the hood bulge? They're functional, as is the larger front intake. All supply extra air to the engine. The bulging fenders have a purpose as well; they cover the M3's wider tires. The standard Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s are 245/40ZR-18s in front and 265/40ZR-18s in the rear; 19-inch wheels and tires with the same tread width are optional.

The M3's interior has undergone fewer alterations than the exterior, but there are a number of significant changes. The usual M treatment includes sportier seats with deep torso and side bolsters, a thick leather steering wheel, and a new M-badged tachometer. The iDrive knob is present, and aside from our usual gripe about its lack of user-friendliness, we mention it because it accesses the settings for M Drive. As in the M5 and M6, the M Drive button on the steering wheel switches the car into a sport mode that can be customized via the iDrive wheel. There are four systems: throttle sensitivity, variable shock absorbers (optional), stability control, and power-steering assist. Throttle control and steering can be set at normal or sport, the latter giving quicker reactions to the gas pedal and producing a heavier steering feel, respectively. The shock absorbers have three settings of what BMW calls "electronic damper control" (EDC). Stability control also has three settings: on, off, and "M dynamic mode" (MDM), which allows for aggressive driving but will step in if your bacon needs saving.

If that's all too confusing, there are separate buttons for the throttle, EDC, and stability control next to the shift lever. However, if a driver wants to select MDM or adjust the steering (normally, it switches with the stiffest EDC setting), he or she can only do so through M Drive/iDrive. It makes one wonder why the time-consuming and distracting iDrive system has to be used when the buttons are faster and close at hand.

Talk back in the forums:
Is this the most cutting-edge M3 to be produced thus far?

Bmw's fetish for technological overkill is not limited to m drive, but the rest of the gadgets are far more useful. the rear differential lock, aptly called "m variable differential lock," adjusts the locking ratio based on the speed difference between the rear wheels. the alternator cycles off when the engine is under load and engages during braking or coasting. the payoff is more power and better fuel efficiency. and more...